[Interpretation of the metopirone--midnight-short-test by means of simultaneous determination and evaluation of the increase of 11-deoxycortisol and decrease of plasma 11-hydroxycorticosteroids].

In this paper the clinical and laboratory-chemical methods of a metopiron short test at midnight are described. In addition to this the results after a conceptional metopiron longtime test and a metopiron short test are compared in 40 endocrinologically healthy persons. It was shown that, compared with the long-term test, in the metopiron short test at midnight no reduction of the informations and of the exactness of the results appears. Since the isolated determination of the increase of substance S after metopiron reveals a relatively broad area of distribution in literature the interpretation normal-pathological is problematic. Therefore it is tried to obtain an improved evidence in the test with the help of an interpretation quotient Q which establishes the variables measured in the regulating circle of the adrenocortico-pituitary system (decrease of the 11-hydrocorticosteroid and increase of the 11-desoxycorticosol in the plasma after application of metopiron, r = 0,96 shown a very good correlation of these two sizes). After utilization of the method of interpretation in persons with different diseases of endocrinological and nonendocrinological etiology the results were in every case good classifications into the areas normal, with limiting value and phathological. The classification of the individual clinical pictures with the help of the interpretation mode mentioned is discussed. Finally the advantages and disadvantages of the used method are compiled.